Didn't they mention a number of cities during their recent A380 press tour of the US? I can't remember them all, but I was certain that ORD was mentioned. Miami also seems highly possible, in due course.

What is the demand from the US to Dubai? I'm trying to figure what, if any, advantages there are in going to say Asia via Dubai rather than via Europe or from the West Coast USA.

Is it quicker to Australia from the East Coast if you go via Dubai or is it faster via LAX?

I'm just not clear where all the demand is coming from for EK to expand in such a way, for sure they've done their homework so it must make sense to them but can someone explain it to me? Some O&D to Dubai of course but for all the proposed services?

....no one thinks PHX has a chance? Mayor seems to think it is a 'dead cert'

I thought it would be. Which is why I'm struggling to figure out the market that EK is after in the US. They market Dubai as a great way of getting to India/Asia/Australia from Europe, and that makes perfect sense but where are the sensible connection opportunities from the US?

I'm curious about the rationale for this one. NW has a stranglehold on this hub. What would the demand even be for MSP-DXB? It would have to rely on connections to have a chance. The problem is that NW/KL can connect passengers efficiently through AMS. EK will probably be looking for bigger O&D markets for a while.

Quoting MMEPHX (Reply 4):....no one thinks PHX has a chance? Mayor seems to think it is a 'dead cert'

Quoting MAH4546 (Reply 12):They're wasting their time. It's not happening. Why don't they actively pursue getting a daily flight to London - which is further being reduced to 5x weekly this winter.

If PHX can't or won't support a daily London flight, why in God's name would EK have them at the top of the list? The EK list is just a list of possibilities and there are many cities on that list that are unlikely to see an EK bird in the next five years or so...including PHX.

Hopefully they aren't spending much money on this pursuit. Other airports with much more to offer passenger-wise are also pursuing more likely carriers and coming up shooting blanks. Example...MCO and AF. It's great to dream but if PHX can't get daily BA service and lost LH it just doesn't seem reasonable. Very little O&D and certainly not enough O&D and connecting passengers to fill a 777.

Quoting Rookinla (Reply 15):Hopefully they aren't spending much money on this pursuit. Other airports with much more to offer passenger-wise are also pursuing more likely carriers and coming up shooting blanks

Well they aren't, Dubai officals have paid for PHX officals to travel to DXB earlier this year and two more trips this year as well. Also additional trips from officals in DXB will be in PHX a few more times this year. So at least its DXB spending the money

Quoting Rookinla (Reply 15):If PHX can't or won't support a daily London flight, why in God's name would EK have them at the top of the list? The EK list is just a list of possibilities and there are many cities on that list that are unlikely to see an EK bird in the next five years or so...including PHX.

Well maybe for some sand Enthusiests!

It could be called the desert express.

PHX isnt going to happen. Its just not. One of the things that helps EK out is the connections to India and the Middle East. Thats what the SFO and LAX flights are going to be riding on. The O&D is big to DXB from here, but it HUGE to India from SFO and LAX and to Iran from LAX (not to mention other parts of the middle East). They will make bank out here.

Quoting Rookinla (Reply 15):If PHX can't or won't support a daily London flight, why in God's name would EK have them at the top of the list? The EK list is just a list of possibilities and there are many cities on that list that are unlikely to see an EK bird in the next five years or so...including PHX.

If they do go to PHX it will be a once or twice a week ONLY or it could piggyback on and ORD or LAX Route and piggybacking would be the best chance for a DXB-PHX route

"Learn the rules, so you know how to break them properly." -H.H. The Dalai Lama

Quoting N104UA (Reply 21):If they do go to PHX it will be a once or twice a week ONLY or it could piggyback on and ORD or LAX Route and piggybacking would be the best chance for a DXB-PHX route

With the other choices available, there is no way that EK will start an ULH route that operates only once or twice a week. In addition EK will fill the planes LAX-DXB...no piggybacks here. If PHX were to ever get EK to commit, they would have to convince them that they could support at least 5X Weekly...not gonna happen.

Quoting Rookinla (Reply 22):With the other choices available, there is no way that EK will start an ULH route that operates only once or twice a week. In addition EK will fill the planes LAX-DXB...no piggybacks here. If PHX were to ever get EK to commit, they would have to convince them that they could support at least 5X Weekly...not gonna happen.

Agreed I was saying that the only way to get a EK flight it would have to be a piggyback

"Learn the rules, so you know how to break them properly." -H.H. The Dalai Lama